C.R.A.I.G - Brief History of Bauxite LP

I didn’t expect to fall this hard for an Australian Hip Hop album chronicling the trials and tribulations of West Coast MC turned mining magnate C.R.A.I.G., but here we are, truly in love with ‘Brief History of Bauxite’.

Who would’ve thunk it, the economic and cultural ramifications of mineral excavation are not only the perfect setting for an Aus vision/version of the US Hip Hop rags2riches theme, but also a great lens to dive into the core of this country, exposing some hard to define personality traits and social attitudes.

Let me be clear, this album is not driven by smug indignation but by a very smart and dry sense of humour. This non-self seriousness is at the center of the profound result. I don’t have a name for it but this comedic sensibility can be found in fellow West Coast institution Mulch Magazine, the science fiction writings of Max Lavergne and the television program ‘Joe Pera Talks with You’.

The beats are minimal and gritty without pandering to the dusty “keep it real” flat cap wearing boom bappers. In fact they’re maybe a bit accidentally on-trend, I could imagine Mike or Earl Sweatshirt or Pink Siifu rapping on them. I don’t know how to analyse the lyrical skills of C.R.A.I.G., but he says a lot and every play I’m still hearing new things.

A surface comparison would be fellow, semi-narrative based Hip Hop concept albums like Dr Octagon or A Prince Among Thieves, but really the 3D chess going on here is closer to Kool Keith’s Matthew. It’s got the funniest and most purposeful spoken interludes in a concept album since The Shadow Ring’s ‘Lighthouse’ and captures the sometimes insightful, sometimes insane multitudes that exist in Non Phixon.

Honestly this record is the type of weidr-arse, didn’t-know-I-needed-this-in-my-life discovery that I live for! A highlight of modern music! We need a ‘Brief History of Bauxite’ TV series! - Nic